Man accused of killing multiple LGBTQ+ people found dead in custody
The 22-year-old male was found dead in custody. (Canva)
A Filipino man accused of killing multiple LGBTQ+ people has been found dead while in custody, police say.
Authorities said the 22-year-old murder suspect, whom police referred to as “Roy”, was found unconscious in the toilets of the Lobo Municipal Police Station in Lobo, Batangas, on Sunday night (1 February).
Police executive master sergeant Jenny Atienza confirmed that the individual, accused of murdering 34-year-old make-up artist Aljohn Abag, was found by the station’s duty jailer after his partner became concerned that he had been in the toilets for several hours.
Officers rushed him to the Lobo District Hospital, where he was declared dead, sergeant Atienza told local news outlets.
Abag’s body was found along the seashore of Malabrigo Beach on 26 January. Investigators say he was fatally struck on the head with a large, sharp object, possibly a stone.
Roy was arrested and charged four days later after he was spotted driving the victim’s motorcycle in Quezon – a province in the Philippines over 107 miles (172 km) from the location of the killing.
Investigators reported that CCTV footage showed Roy and Abag together near Malabrigo Beach on the night of the killing. Roy was also found in possession of several of the victim’s personal belongings.
He faced charges including robbery with homicide and qualified carjacking, according to the Manila Bulletin.
Local outlet Inquirer reports that the suspect was also being investigated for possible involvement in numerous other murder cases, some of which included LGBTQ+ victims.
The publication also shared extracts from a police report which appeared to suggest Roy had died by suicide. Investigators have yet to confirm an official cause of death.
Police say they are investigating whether the suspect had any connection to the death of an unnamed 57-year-old salon worker, who was reportedly struck in the face with a large rock. An investigation remains ongoing.
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
Share your story! Do you have an important, exciting or uplifting story to tell? Email us at [email protected]
